Robin Park, Wigan cannot boast the snooker tradition of a Crucible, a Barbican Centre, a Wembley Conference Centre or the nearby Preston Guildhall. But as the Coral UK Championship moved to a conclusion the likelihood that it might just bear witness to a piece of history were increasing.
With Ronnie O’Sullivan homing in on Stephen Hendry’s all-time career centuries record and having entered the German Masters, the qualifiers with up to two matches for the Rocket trying to reach the Tempodrom in Berlin are to be played at the Sports Arena over December 17-19.
In terms of the publicity attracted snooker was lucky that Neil Robertson’s 100th century of the season last term came at the Crucible, and in many ways the Masters – one of O’Sullivan’s favourite tournaments, and where Hendry would be commentating – might be a suitably grand setting for equalling or beating the record.
However that will not be the view in Wigan, where fans turning up to watch free of charge may get very good value indeed.